(Plain Press, July 2005) In April 24-year old Bernie Sokolowski of the Sokolowski family from Tremont’s University Inn restaurant was struck by a hit-skip driver and left for dead in the Italian countryside. No one knows how long the art school graduate lay severely injured in a ditch beside the road. After treatment in a local hospital, Bernie III was transferred to a larger medical center in Bologna, Italy. Coma was induced while physicians attempted to address his broken back and pelvis, kidney failure, and various other injuries.

Bernie III’s parents, Bernie and Mary, secured MetroHealth’s medical plane staffed with Metro Life’s chief doctor and nurse to bring their son home. The cost of the medical plane, three surgeries, and medical bills continue to mount as Bernie III faces several more surgeries, rehabilitation and a long recovery.

Local Tremont restaurateurs, friends and neighbors have joined together to help the Sokolowskis finance Bernie III’s recovery. On Wednesday, June 29th from 5PM to 8PM, Tremont’s popular restaurants: Fahrenheit, Fat Cats, Lolita’s, Sage, Southside and Theory will all be serving up their gourmet specialties at Sokolowski’s University Inn located at 1201 University Road in Tremont.

Also included in the evening’s festivities is a silent auction featuring a William Sommer watercolor and works by noted Tremont artists Chris Pekoc, Sally Matia, Tim Herron, Giancarlo Calicchia, and Brian Pierce. Other items include artwork by Douglas Max Utter, Shirley Aley Campbell, Tom Schorgl, an archival print from Eikona Studio, sports collectibles donated by Cleveland’s professional teams, gift baskets and restaurant packages.

Additional support for Tremont Cooks Together is provided by Civilization, City Roast, Dempsey’s, The Tree House, Betley Printing, and many others.

Ticket price is $100.00 per person; tickets may be purchased in advance at any of the participating restaurants or by calling 216.771.9236. A limited number of tickets will also be available at the door on June 29th.

Donations of any amount to assist with medical costs can also be made at any Key Bank branch.

For further information, please contact Nancy Holcepl at 216.621.3838 or Doug Petcovic at 216.621.2301.